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Hamsters :)

Written at Saturday, May 15, 2010 | back to top

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HAMSTERS

Hamsters are from the family group 'rodents', animals that have continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws. They are found in almost every part of the world. There are currently 5 different species:

1) Syrian/Golden Hamsters

2) Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamster

3)Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster

4)Roborovski Hamster

5) Chinese Hamster

Hamsters are famously known as one of the most popular pet requests of kids(after cats and goldfish)and are commonly used in science labs for genetic tests and experiments. Their diet consists of plant-based food such as nuts, grains, fruits and vegetable. They occasionally eat tiny insects. In order to digest some of it's undigested food, it has to eat its own feces and droppings for a healthy digestive system. Hamsters store about 20% of it's fat in cheeks, probably why they can be quite chubby.

For those of you living under a rock not knowing what a hamster looks like, it is very stout bodied and has furry ears with a short tail.The Chinese hamsters are the only species with a long tail.They have short legs and wide paws. They are so tiny, about the size of your palm. Mature hamsters can grow up to 30 to 35 cm long. They have very fragile bones, so please handle them with care when you hold one :)

Hamsters come in wide range of colors, depending on their species. It is said that the rare Syrian Hamsters are the most beautiful. Hamsters have a very weak immune system and can easily catch diseases.Females are always in heat(overheating) approximately every 4 days.Symptoms are less appetite and not eating well, less active and reddening of genital areas.The infected hamsters can spread some serious diseases to it's owner, usually by bitting. Hamster bites are common cases of diseases transferable from rodents to man.

Hamsters have tiny voices and they "squek". Squeks are their methods of communicating with others and as mating call. They have very poor eyesight and are colorblind.Hamsters can only see 6 inches in front of them. The average hamster has a life span of about 2 to 4 years and weigh up to about 100 to 150 grams. Females have a gestation period of 15 days, and can give birth to an average of 7 litter. The number of litters born can be as high as 24 in one day!

Hamsters are usually nocturnal and stay up all night, but some don't. Wild hamsters usually fight each other to death. Females are the most aggressive and can kill males or even it's own mate (girl power!! :D ) They convey distress and tension by bitting, showing sense of fright by washing their faces with water(usually for home hamsters kept as pets that are provided with water) and defense when they have their front paws covering their faces? They puff up/blow up their cheeks to show anger (Isn't that just the cutest thing in the world? ) and lay motionless on their backs to show fear. If hamsters have their eyes closed, that means they are in the state of inner peace and solitude. So dear readers, if you notice one day your hamster sitting in it's cage with funny-looking eyes, please don't disturb it as it is probably meditating.

Never ever separate a hamster away from it's mate. Not only is this a selfish act, but this causes stress and depression to hamsters, especially males. The males will get depressed . Depression does not kill a hamster (not like sheep as it dies when stressed ,written in one of our previous posts). When a hamster is depressed, it gains weight and becomes obese.

Hamsters are very friendly and gentle, especially around kids. It usually remember it's relatives and responds well when its being called by the name given by its owner. It also can remember their faces and voices as well.